Since being traded from New York to Minnesota, Julius Randle has experienced a rejuvenation in his basketball career.
The move has not only altered his on-court responsibilities but also provided a fresh perspective on his professional journey.
Reflecting on his time in New York, Randle acknowledged the emotional weight of the trade.
“It was a lot of emotion,” he said, via Yahoo Sports. “You spend a lot of time living in one place, you know, New York, going there five years ago… A lot of blood, sweat, and tears put into that organization and uniform. Initially, it’s always going to be a shock.”
However, the transition to Minnesota has been a positive one.
“The weight of the world’s off my shoulders,” Randle remarked, highlighting the relief he feels away from the relentless pressure of Madison Square Garden.
He further expressed his appreciation for the Timberwolves’ organization, stating, “It’s important to feel wanted.”
Randle’s performance on the court has mirrored his renewed mindset. In the postseason, he’s averaging 24.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game, shooting 39.3 percent from beyond the arc. His standout performances include a 29-point game on 13-of-18 shooting against the Warriors.
One game at a time, he’s changing how the NBA world views him.
“I’ve always used that as motivation, proving people wrong and stuff like that,” Randle told Yahoo Sports. “But it became more about proving myself right. That’s been the biggest adjustment and change in my mindset.
“Not that you don’t see it, pay attention to it. But it’s more about me than anyone else. I mean, I think that’s kind of been the maturity of my approach. I feel like the weight of the world’s off my shoulders because I’m just playing, having fun.
“It’s not for anybody else, but for myself and for my teammates and people that pour into me and love me. I’m not out here to prove anybody wrong or change a narrative.”
Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo told Yahoo Sports about his teammate:
“The amount of s*** Julius takes, it’s hard to even fathom how he deals with it,” DiVincenzo said. “To see him carry the load, night in and night out, everybody knows how much stuff he deals with, everybody knows how much flak he [catches], and he doesn’t let it faze him, he doesn’t let it bother him.”
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